Malancha Niwas, the residence of Rabindra Nath Tagore

Malancha Niwas is the bungalow, near the Kunjaban Palace, where Rabindra Nath Tagore stayed in the year 1919. But now, it is a double storied building.

Earlier it was not a well built place. But then it has been converted into a nice one. This place is situated in Agartala itself. Today this place is a tourist attraction. Like Jorasanko, Darjeeling, Shantiniketan, it is an experience to visit the place where one of the greatest personality of the century lived. The experience of living a moment in the past should not be missed. Rabindra Nath Tagore is one of the greatest poets the country has ever produced. He brought honour to the country by winning India’s first Nobel prize for litrature. He is the only person in the world who has composed National anthem for two different countries (India and Bangaladesh).

A visit to Malancha Niwas is a good option, there are good city hotels and resorts to stay in Agartala. The city also have an airport hence accessibility will not be a matter of concern.

Diversity in communities of Tripura

Tripura is a small state that lies in the North Eastern part of India. The culture and traditions of this small state is one of the most diverse in the country. It is the combination of several cultures from several communities in Tripura. There are around eight tribes in Tripura each has their own distinctive culture and traditions. The various different tribes include Chaimal tribe, Garoo tribe, Halam tribe, Jamatia tribe, Lepcha tribe, Riang tribe, Tippera tribe and Tripuri tribe. Apart from the native tribes there are several communities in Tripura like, Bengali,. Tripuri, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Manipuri, Chakma, Kuki, Lushai and Mogh.

Bengali is the official language of Tripura, 80% of the people speak Bengali, the remaining 20% of people speak Tripuri, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Meitei, Changma vaj, Kuki, Mizo and Mogh. Tripura is a case study for several Indian and foreign researchers who study in different cultures and traditions. Even though there are several diversities in this small slice of land, we can find strong unity among them.

Agartala is the nearest airport to reach Tripura and Kumarghat is the nearest Railway station. There are several hotels and resorts to host tourists and visitors in Tripura.

The Neermahal Water Palace

There are many examples of water palaces around the world. But Neermahal in the tiny state of Tripura is a unique one. This is not some lavish edifice reminiscent of the Mughal dynasty, but the fantasy palace built in 1930s by a Raja who ruled over this former princely state.

Like many historic places in India, the maintenance is not that great. Still, this palace is simply gorgeous, with wonderful gardens inside the palace’s walls along with turrets overlooking the lake.

A bus or jeep will take you from Agartala to a place called Malaga (or Melaga). From there it is but a walk of 1 km up to the lakeside or travel in an auto. Surely yet another place to check out when visiting Tripura.

The incomparable Burmans – Tripura’s musical legacy

The 70th birth anniversary of the genius Hindi film composer R.D.Burman or Pancham as he was fondly known just passed us by. Most associate him with Bengal and, of course, Mumbai where he played out his fascinating musical career. But a more little known fact is where he and his equally genius father, Sachin Dev Burman, hailed from.

Born in the royal family of Tripura, the senior Burman, started off his studies in Kolkata before venturing to Mumbai to pursue a brilliant career as composer for Hindi films. Today, in honour of their famous son, the Tripura government has dedicated a bridge in the city to his honour. Named the S.D.Burman Sethu, there is a bust of the great composer reminding the locals of a family who put their state on the map of Indian popular music.

Tripura Sundari Temple in Tripura

Tripura Sundari Temple is situated around 55 km from Agartala, Tripura.

The temple is one of the country’s most important centers of Shakti worship, and the temple is built in the shape of a hut, like many of Bengal’s dome styled temples by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya.

According to Hindu mythology the temple of Tripura Sundari in Tripura is considered as one of the 51 pithasthanas of India. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces by Sudarshana Chakra and all these pieces fell at different places and these places are known as pithasthanas.

There is a famous Kalyan Sagar in eastern side of the temple where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found.

At the time of Dewali, a famous Mela takes place which is visited by lakhs of pilgrims.

Dumboor Lake

Dumboor Lake is situated about 110 km from Agartala, Tripura.
River Gomati is originated from Dumboor Lake and is spread over an area of 40 square kilometers. There are charming beautiful islands in the midst of the lake. Migratory birds and Water sports facilities are additional attractions.

The Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati originates is called Tirthamukh. Various species of migratory birds are found during winter and it has rich reservoir of natural and cultured fishes.

Water sports

Debatamura (God’s peak)

Debtamura is approximately 75 km from Agartala. It is famous for its rock carvings on the steep mountain wall on the bank of Gomati. There are beautiful huge carved images of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Kartika, Mahishasur Mardini, Durga and other gods and goddesses. These images belong to 15th -16th centuries.

The beautiful carvings on vertical rocks are most beautiful. You can enjoy a boat ride here and also enjoy the view of lush green vegetations, picturesque sites of hills and the breath taking sculptures.

The Orange Festival at Jampui Hills

Jampui Hills the highest hill range in the Tripura state is located about 200 km away from Agartala, Tripura. 90 km from Kailashahar District.

In the month of November, when the surrounding hills are heavy with the Orange fruit, the festival is celebrated in the Jampui hill. A large number of tourists from all over  India come to participate and enjoy the festival. During this season the hill is enclosed with floating clouds and it provides an exemplary experience for the tourists here.

Recently, boating facility in the hill range has been developed.

Tourists visiting the Jampui hill cannot give up missing the view of the sunset and the sunrise.

Handicrafts in Tripura

Tripura has carved out a name for itself in the field of Handicrafts. Fabulous variety of handicrafts using wonderful objects of crafts from simple material like cane, clay, palm leaf, bamboo & wood are made by different culture groups which have earned great name throughout the country. The most famous handicraft products in Tripura are Room Divider, Decorated wall panels, lamp shades, Attractive furniture of cane, different decorative pieces using Bamboo roots, Bamboo Dining table mats, Floor mats and various other gift items. Tourist can purchase handicraft and handloom products from Purbasha, a Govt.of Tripura undertaking Sales Emporium and other private Sales Emporium throughout the state.

Art Treasures Of Unakoti

Unakoti is 8 km from District Headquarters of Kailashahar and 180km from Agartala. There is abundance of rock carvings belonging to 7-9th century A.D. along with the marvelous murals with their primitive beauty of waterfalls in the backdrop.

The images found at Unakoti are of two types namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’ is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two female figures – one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side is Ganga. In addition three enormous images, Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti.

It also offers a wide opportunity for trekking. In fact, it is one of the most popular sites for sightseeing and adventure tourism at Tripura.